GIANT STANCE 29 2 (2022) – KNIGHT SHIELD

In this preview, I want to cover the usual stuff but also answer some questions:

First, how does it compare to the Stance 2?

Second, who is it for and why was it even developed?

Let’s find out…

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO THE STANCE 2?

The significant difference is the wheels. The Stance 2 uses 27.5-inch wheels with 2.6-inch wide tyres, and the Stance 29er uses 29-inch wheels with 2.35-inch wide tyres.

Both mountain bikes use the exact fork and suspension travel, 130mm fork paired to 120mm of rear-wheel travel.

Both bikes use exactly the same head tube angle (67-degrees) but the seat tube angle is slightly steeper on the Stance 29 at 75-degrees (compared with 74-degrees on the Stance 2).

Meaning:

On the 29er your pelvis is shifted slightly forward and your body is placed in a better position for climbing.

A shorter crank length on the Stance 29 potentially will reduce the ‘dead spot’ at the top and bottom of the pedal stroke – delivering a smoother pedalling action.

So far, so good. But is it all roses and unicorns?

Depends on what sort of rider you are and the type of terrain you’re planning to ride.

Which leads me into.

STANCE 29: THE WHO AND WHY

So we’ve established it’s got larger diameter wheels and slight differences in geometry.

So, you should choose the Stance 29er 2 if:

One, you’re the sort of rider who spends their time riding fast, gentle and flowy singletrack with lots of climbing. Think Lysterfield Mountain Bike Park, Red Hill Cross-Country Trails or the You Yangs (Kurrajong side).

Two, you prefer to go out for a long mountain bike ride (15km and more).

Three, you take a ‘wheels on the ground’ approach to your riding; you would rather monster-truck through a tree root section rather than launch over it.

The reason why the Stance 29er came into being was to offset the Stance 2.

I’ll explain.

The Stance 2 is designed for slightly more technical trails; more rocks, tree roots, tight and twisty descents. For the rider wanting to go the technical trail riding path, it was engineered to be stable and deliver enormous traction through the tyres.

But not everyone is riding technical trails.

So Giant had to make a bike for those riders who value efficiency and who are riding trails that are a little tamer.

NEW SHIMANO DEORE 10 SPEED

The Deore family of group sets has always been labelled as Affordable Performance. It’s 4th from the top (which is XTR).

It profits from the latest tech employed at the top-end, but used with more affordable materials and production methods.

Essentially there are 10 gears paired to a single chain ring on the front. The cassette has a massive range too; from a tiny 11-tooth sprocket to a 46-tooth.

The benefits:

First, the wider gear range allows the drive train can accommodate a substantial difference in terrain; you’ll be able to find the correct gear on flat, flowy singletrack and steep, technical climbs.

Second, this erases the need for a front derailleur. Making maintenance and adjustments much simpler.

GIANT CREST 34

A new fork developed by Giant is used on the new 2022 Giant Stance 29 2 and Stance.

In previous years, Giant has defaulted to Suntour to provide the suspension at this level.

Not anymore.

Giant has decided to take control and use their vast experience with manufacturing to engineer a better product.

The Crest 34 uses 34mm diameter tubing to deliver a god balance of stiffness and compliance. It’s now the industry standard. 5 years ago it use to be 32mm stanchions where the norm. Thank goodness those days are gone.

Much like Fox or Rock Shox, the Crest 34 uses an air spring – meaning it’s really easy to tune the fork to the rider. We adjust the spring rate (or firmness) based on you body weight. As an example, if you weigh between 77kg-82kg then the recommended air pressure is 89psi (120mm travel).

This is not possible to do with suspension fork without an air spring. The factory setting is what you get – love it or hate it.

A red rebound dial adjusts the ‘return’ or rebound speed of the fork. Set it fast if your home trails are especially rocky or tree-rooty. If your trails are smooth and flowy (or your about to attempt a new jump or drop off for the first time) it’s best to keep the rebound speed slower, so it’s more composed on the landing.

WHEELS, TYRES AND TUBELESS

Much like every other performance mountain bike, the 2022 Stance 29 2 also uses a tubeless tyre setup as standard.

For those that haven’t heard of tubeless:

The setup doesn’t use a rubber inner tube. Instead, a liquid sealant sloshes around the inside of the tyre. It leaves a coating on the inside of the tyre as it does this. Punctures up to 2-3mm will (in most cases) are plugged by the sealant.

And the benefits are:

First, it’s lighter. No tube means less rotational weight.

Second, there’s also more traction. Tubeless tyres are very supple and therefore can deform and ‘mould’ to the trail, rather than ‘bouncing’ over the surface.

Maxxis Forekaster tyres are used front and rear in a 2.35-inch width. These are one of the best all-round mountain bike tyres and they have excellent rolling speed as well.

STANCE FRAME SIZING

For the Stance 2, there are four frame sizes to choose from S to XL.

A word of advice:

Get the largest frame size you can comfortably fit on. Comfortably being the keyword here.

Why?

Because as the frame gets larger, three things happen:

It increases the front length of the bike.

And this delivers a ‘centred’ or neutral descending position.

Which reduces the chances of you going over the handlebars because you’re not resting most of your weight toward the front of the bike.

Obviously, there will be an element of personal preference, a smaller frame is more agile and some riders like this character in a mountain bike.